• 11 May 1901 - Sacramento, California. He worked at St Nicholas Hotel for seven years as manager and cashier. He has been found to be short in the account. Brother-in-law James H Doolittle, owner of the hotel, charges Knowlton stole over $23,000. Officers are sent to Watsonville to arrest him.
499, p 2• 12 May 1901 - San Francisco, California. He was fond of high living. After a prolonged spree, his brother-in-law, Doolittle, fired him. At settling of accounts it was discovered Knowlton had embezzled about $23,000. He refused to make any restitution and refused to leave the area.
499, p 2• 28 Dec 1902 - Santa Cruz, California. Mistrial in Knowlton Case. The jury was unable to agree in the case of Joseph Knowlton, the former clerk of the St. Nicholas Hotel. The poll stood 9 for conviction and 3 for acquittal. The case has been repeatedly postponed due to death or illness among counsel of the jurors.
499, p 3• Major Joseph Knowlton, aged 60 years, died last evening of cancer at the home of his sister in Santa Cruz. Was with the Southern Pacific Co. Agent for stage lines and later for the railroads. Was a manager for the St. Nicholas hotel.
499, p 3
• 1880 Census: San Francisco, San Francisco, California. Age 35, b ME. Stage Agent. Parents b ME.
502• 1900 Census: San Francisco, San Francisco, California. Age 51, b Aug 1848, ME. Parents b ME. Married 27 years. Book [unclear]. Son-in-law in household of Ira Doolittle.
503